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Market MapIowaHoward

Howard County

IowaPopulation: 9,479
72
/100
Buy
#83 of 1,000 counties
#50 in Iowa (99 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated January 1, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$188,092
Median Home Price
20% below national median
$11,169/mo
Est. Rent
Based on regional data
5.94%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Estimated from price data
+$0
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
72/100
72
Cash Flow(30%)
0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)
78/100

Based on 2.8% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
86/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.9x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Affordable relative to local incomes

Challenges

  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population
9,479
Median Income
$63,947
vs $57,059 national est.
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
2.9x
Very affordable

Who this market fits

Skip if
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
AllamakeeIA
73$243,455Est. pending—BuyView
Black HawkIA
73$184,044$1,1207.30%BuyView
CurrentHowardIA
72$188,092Est. pending—Buy
WebsterIA
72$134,911$8257.34%BuyView
WoodburyIA
71$197,193$1,1647.08%BuyView
SiouxIA
71$297,233Est. pending—BuyView

The Bottom Line

BuyHoward offers solid investment potential with positive cash flow at typical financing.

Howard County in Iowa scores 72/100, ranking #83 of 1,000 US counties (top 11%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental roughly breaks even on cash flow. The deal works on appreciation or with better terms, not on month-one cash flow.

Monthly Cash Flow
+$0/mo
Cap Rate
0.0%
Cash-on-Cash
0.0%

Related markets

Markets like Howard with stronger cash flow

  • Webster County for cash-flow rentals
  • Black Hawk County for cash-flow rentals
  • Woodbury County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Howard

  • Webster County, lower entry price
  • Black Hawk County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Howard vs Webster for rentals
  • Howard vs Allamakee for rentals
  • Howard vs Black Hawk for rentals
All counties in Iowa →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Howard?

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